Why do many atheists and skeptics fight so hard to deny God if they don’t believe He exists?

Christian author Ray Comfort may have a point when he says atheists know there is a God.

In his book: “You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence but You Can’t Make Him Think“ (WND Books, 2009), Comfort said, “We don’t have to prove that God exists to the professing atheist. This is because he intuitively knows that He exists. Every person has a God-given conscience. The Bible tells us that this is the ‘work of the law written on their hearts’.”

Just as every sane human knows it’s wrong to lie, steal, kill, and commit adultery, Comfort says, they also know that God should be first in their life.

Comfort’s reasoning is this: People don’t fight against something that doesn’t exist, or something they don’t believe exists.

That’s why you don’t see groups rising up to fight against the tooth fairy. You don’t see professors in universities ridiculing the existence of Santa Claus. You don’t see organizations mobilizing troops to denounce werewolves, bunyips, or leprechauns.

What’s different with atheists?

So what’s different in the atheist’s brain? If God doesn’t exist, why do atheists such as Richard Dawkins care so passionately that some people believe in Him? Why do they bother writing books against the existence of God? Or waste time preparing videos for YouTube that ridicule God? Or fund ads on the side of London buses?

In fact, why do atheists bother acknowledging that people believe in God at all? People believe all sorts of ridiculous things that atheists don’t care about, so why does it matter to them if one of those things is God?

Interestingly, the Bible gives some answers to this.

Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.” Atheists may be brilliant scholars or academics. They may be wonderful inventors, surgeons, or scientists. But if they say there is no God they are declaring themselves fools in spiritual matters. This is why atheism is sometimes called the fool’s philosophy.

The Apostle Paul pointed out in Romans 2:15 that God has written intuitive knowledge of His law in our human conscience. In a wonderful passage in Romans 1:20 he says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

There is abundant evidence of God’s handiwork written on our conscience and in nature all around us, and there is no excuse for not recognizing God’s work in this.

Justifying our actions

So, what is at the core of the atheist’s concern?

As sinful humans, we have an amazing tendency to try to justify our actions. This is something that sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. We do something stupid and try to invent plausible reasons why we did it. Sometimes this is to fool others; sometimes it is to convince ourselves that we are not as stupid as our actions indicate.

Sometimes people who have taken a strong point of view on something wrong think it is their duty to get others on side, because there is safety in numbers. This is how cults form, and how dictators get away with murder.

If atheists know in their hearts that there really is a God, but they don’t want to be accountable to God for their actions, then it starts to make sense why they try so hard to convince others that God doesn’t exist.

This also explains why no-one bothers speaking out against belief in mermaids, pixies, and werewolves. People do not have the truth of these mythical creatures written in their hearts or on their conscience. Nor does nature declare anything about the majesty and power of leprechauns or hobgoblins.

So atheists must know intuitively that God exists. They just want to convince themselves and others that He doesn’t exist because if He does it means they have made the worst decision of their lives to reject Him. And that has eternal consequences that are too horrible for them to contemplate.

God wants us to come to Him. He offers salvation to all, and has given two magnificent evidences of Himself.One is the overwhelming evidence of His physical creation all around us, and the other is the imprint of His existence in our conscience.

There should be no atheists. The fact that there are shows human rebellion and arrogance — not an intellectual discovery

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21 Comments:

not an atheist myself, just non christian, but i would say from my POV that we fight because belief in such a god contained within the pages of the OT and NT has real world consequences not just for the believer (i know this all too well and so does my family sadly) but also for the world around us and for those of other faiths and no faith.
my faith informed me and motivated how i voted, the real world decisions and judgments i made about situations and people around me. my faith and consistency to my faith and ‘information’ from the bible about the world was the foundation of how i treated others in the real world.
in short, some, not all, but some atheists (again i am not one, just non christian now) and non believers work hard and argue against the biblical and christian world view and it’s god because it has real world consequences that hurt and injure everything and everyone they come in contact with, even those who hold and promote it, as i have found out after 34yrs of christian faith and 25yrs of christian ministry within those years.
it matters.

Everything, Kia, has consequences. From stealing a loaf of bread to feed self or family to being, or not being, politically correct. Yet, there are very few that have greater consequence today than being Christian. The persecution of Christians and Christianity go back to the very time of Christ.

Jesus tells us in John 15:18-25 New International Version (NIV) 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

You claim I have not answered their questions and yet, you profess (as in the case of yourself) that many of these atheists and non-believers come from Christian environments. Should they not then know the truth and the word of God? I have taught the word of God and, as Christ said, “If they will not listen to me then they will not listen to you.” In post after post I have taken great pain to translate the Words of God; even to the point of providing for the question of “Is there an argument for the existence of God?” [ SEE: http://wp.me/p26QNa-1Xb ]

In this post you will see comments from both Christians and atheists alike. So, I will suggest that it is not one of which might be construed as bias. Of which, by the way, none of these posts on atheists/atheism, have been personal attacks upon them or their choice of belief.

You speak of your ministry of 25 years and profess you were a Christian for 34 years; yet, you never announce why you left the faith or the ministry? You speak of being persecuted as cause for your abandonment of Christianity – but then you should have known you’d be persecuted – as well as I know it concerning me. Yet, I do not relinquish my faith – and I do not retaliate against others – I have not shown you contempt – nor others. None of the articles are malicious nor with malicious intent towards atheist or non-believers or people of other faiths. I merely point out truths of which others tend to ignore or attempt to shout down in opposition.

If people are so sensitive today as to be offended by what they do not believe, then pity on them. Allow me to clarify that statement: “If atheists are offended by the Word of God then perhaps they should do as the last posts suggests; They should come to the realization God does exist; they just don’t like Him and His rules.

Comfort’s reasoning is this: “People don’t fight against something that doesn’t exist, or something they don’t believe exists. That’s why you don’t see groups rising up to fight against the tooth fairy. You don’t see professors in universities ridiculing the existence of Santa Claus. You don’t see organizations mobilizing troops to denounce werewolves, bunyips, or leprechauns.”

and if i may turn the question around…
i notice you write a lot of posts these days about ‘atheists’ and non believers ‘attacking’ your faith by questions or refutations. if your christianity and faith is so secure and atheists are so wrong…
why do you constantly attack a position you don’t believe and consider to be no harm to your position?
you aqren’t answering their questions or providing the evidence they ask for. you aren’t lovingly just sharing the gospel with them. you aren’t even ‘gifting’ them with the calm, quiet, assured witness of a secure faith. you are attacking them and mocking them as much as you say they are mocking you. they may have a reason, not being ‘filled with the fruit of the spirit’ of galatians 5, but you certainly don’t have that excuse. why be so aggressive, rude and mocking if your position is so secure and theirs is so precarious?
your question… turned towards you. what is your response?
-KIA

When I imagine atheists standing before almighty God I can only picture them having no excuse. There will be reasons like, “Oh, I didn’t want to seem stupid,” or, “I only wanted to live my life my way,” but His existence would seem all the while too apparent to deny, I say it because I’ve got great empathy there. That being said, I also have great empathy for the antithesis of the world today. To understand their positions better, try to imagine yourself in an America where basically everyone is Muslim, and assumed to be Muslim. Most politicians speak openly about their Islam faith (even if they’re just pretending) and voters love to hear it from them. You, however, are still yourself and believe without a doubt all those things you deeply believe today. It could be that you’re well enough to move through this culture without stirring up debates about the truth you believe or don’t believe, although you can imagine how difficult that might be, but on top of that imagine you hear in some places of the country fundamental Islamists are pushing school boards to include lessons that complement the Koran. Despite the children already there that would have their education suffer for this (not to mention leading them away from Christ), you must acknowledge that if it gains ground there your own children might also be subject to it, and for their sake ought to fight against it. I guess what I’m trying to say is this: much of the anti-religion we see today is an indirect result of the intelligent design movement as well as 9/11. The world had woken up to see the great dangers that may come about from religion. They may have overreacted, but they’e up against more than an entire culture, really an entire world. In light of that you almost have to admire them for their courage.

You make some good points. I think another thing that plays a role is guilt. As I have gone through life, I have often found that people lash out at what they feel guilty about. For instance, if I don’t exercise, but I know I need to and shoild, I will start to feel very uncomfortable when I see someone jogging. Ultimately, I have a choice. I can either admit I should be doing what they are, or lash out and say that they are just a health nut, or fitness geek.

In a similar manner, if I know God exists, but I chose not to follow Him, I will start to become very defensive about it. And that may manifest itself in both proclaiming that God doesn’t really exist, and lashing out at those that say He does.

I think you make some astute observations. I am reminded of the little man who loved the game of basketball. And he was quite good at it when playing at home alone. In fact, people would comment on his ability to sink buckets from nearly anywhere on his court. So, his confidence grew and he tried out for the team one fall. He could out maneuver most everyone trying for a spot on the team. But, because of his height and everyone else being so much taller; he couldn’t get his shots off and grew to hate his fellow members and eventually the game.

When others tried to encourage him he’d lash out and tell them the game was stupid and the other guys wouldn’t give him a chance….. He became very defensive about his height, sports and his own abilities to achieve – even when the odds were against him….. choosing not to practice, practice and practice till he overcame –

So, it’s a similar situation……. the scenario’s are different but the outcome is the same I think……

Again, Tim, thank you for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bles and keep you and yours. Shalom !

I imagine there are some atheists who see the dangers of those who are willing to die for their faith and find it a worthy cause to fight against. Others may simply want to share their experience of lost faith with like-minded people and find themselves regularly challenged by theists who don’t understand.

But by far, the vast majority of atheists are completely uninterested in religious discussions. You won’t find them commenting here. They do not have an online religious presence and they are blissfully unaware of all the Christians who obsess over them this way.

The funny thing is that those atheists who enjoy talking about religion are not only the atheists you find most offensive, but they are also the atheists you have the most in common with.

First and foremost please forgive my delay in responding to your comments. Please believe I am sorry for this.
I find a lot of atheists venturing here and leaving comments, having discussions and placing points of view. All of which I am very open too. The vast majority of atheists who visit here are very polite and respectful. I have had those who come and are belligerent and demeaning to themselves and others. One, in particular, who has been a pain in my side since as early as 04/30/2013 and who has just recently been unapproved. I assure you he was the exception and has not been the rule.

So, you think I, as others, are obsessed over atheists and atheism? How so? I don’t think anyone could have reached further for the truth than you have in saying; “The funny thing is that those atheists who enjoy talking about religion are not only the atheists you find most offensive, but they are also the atheists you have the most in common with.” What is it I am supposed to be offended by or; find most offensive in our conversations? I, unfortunately, fail to see where you derive such comment or statement?

As I have said, the vast majority of atheists who come here are welcomed back as a result of their polite and respectful demeanor. As I trust they’ll return, I trust you will do the same.

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours always.

I hardly meant anything so dramatic. I look at this particular post, its comments, and other posts about atheists from a theist point of view and it is rather funny the way you analyze atheists so deeply. You start off by mentioning a book titled “You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence but You Can’t Make Him Think” and you don’t know where I am getting that from? Then you proceed to plunge more deeply into the atheist mind.

But I was only pointing out some perspective that the groups you claim are “rising up to fight” religion are a minority. Because, as I mentioned…. the majority of atheists simply are not interested in talking about religion and stay out of the conversation completely.

Forgive me for assuming you are not a fan of the types of atheists you describe. I take it back. But you do seem offended by my observation that you have more in common with passionate atheists than indifferent ones. Why? People either care about the topic of religion or not. Maybe I’m misunderstanding you, but I don’t think it’s a big deal. Thanks for your thoughts.

Jenny,
I am afraid I don’t believe your rhetoric and it certainly appears you do not believe it either.

Your comment: ” I was only pointing out some perspective that the groups you claim are “rising up to fight” religion are a minority”; is my reasoning for making such a response to you. By your coming here and “rising up” you apparently are of that minority status. If it were not the case then you would be in the camp of those being “the majority of atheists simply are not interested in talking about religion and stay out of the conversation completely.”

I am afraid your comment “But you do seem offended by my observation that you have more in common with passionate atheists than indifferent ones” is quite mistaken. If what you mean by “passionate” is to say I relate more to fundamental, radical atheists than indifferent ones is as to say “I relate more to “passionate [fundament and radical] Islam more-so than Muslims who are indifferent.” My belief in God, as with most all Christians, is a personal one and is built on Faith as well as our personal relationship with Christ.

It may surprise many to know I do not necessarily agree with some of the beliefs, indoctrination or dogma of certain sects of Christendom. I voice my opposition to them openly – quick to point out as to why I do not agree. I am in no way offended by them – nor do I find them offensive to Christianity overall. And certainly the usage of the title of someone else’s book does not make me a fundamentalist Christian who downgrades atheism. Though I do find the writings of Peter Hutchins more compelling than his brother, Christopher Hutchins. By the way both Peter and his brother Christopher were atheists at one point.

I don’t want to start a debate here. I’m an atheist, but I’m more interested in understanding your perspective than fighting with you. As such, I just have a question for you: How do you know God exists?

Your question, “How do you know God exists?” is rather simple to answer actually. It is the difference between what I was before accepting Christ and what I am after accepting Christ. Before accepting Christ I drank, used drugs (shot cocaine), loved the most bizarre of sexual experiences committed criminal acts and was sentenced to prison on numerous occasions. Having served a total of 26 years in State and Federal Prisons. I ran with a very tough crowd and people who were descent wanted nothing to do with me. Even to this day people who knew me before advice people today not to associate with me….. but they are unaware that I have been redeemed (changed).

When originally I gave my life to Christ I toyed with it – in other words I used God to my benefit. When I got myself into a jam where I couldn’t get myself out – I took God off the mantle and prayed – prayers amounting to deals. “God if you get me out of this I promise ………. “. Time after time I was never fully committed. Little had I realized that God had been with me all along. He was there when in 1954 I contracted Polio and can walk. Having tumors in my lungs of which calcified. While at the same time loosing my daughter to cancer…. laying in a coma and having a near death experience. It never dawned on me then that God had never forsaken me or left me…. even though I was still committing crimes, using cocaine and being sexually permissive (and pornography). Not to mention I was a liar and a cheat.

From as early as I can remember I was in church every Sunday….. but never got anything from it. Although it seemed the case I am reminded of what the Bible says: “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it”. Proverbs 22:6 . And so it was…. several years ago I truly gave my life over to Christ. No more games, no more deals and no more lying to God or myself. I surrendered completely. And, as a result I have seen so much change in the way I am. A slow change – with times of sliding back for a moment – but persevering and the changes grew more and more apparent. And with that my faith grew. I found that works were a result of salvation and not the cause of it. I became, as the Bible claims, ” a new creature in Christ.”

Since turning my life over to Christ I am a new creature – and that is how I know God exists. Through a relationship with Christ… and, please Hessian, do not get me wrong, there were many days I felt my faith slipping, I felt doubt in the whole thing – but then the next day I would awaken and feel something entirely different about me. Things were starting to disappear from me. Like, for example, getting high or watching a pornographic movie. When I would catch myself slipping – the sins I used to lust after – no long held the same appeal and eventually I lost the desire for all of it….. And that’s coming from a hard core individual who, from the time he was 17 to his early 60’s committed all sorts of criminal acts.

I am glad, Hessian, you asked your question in the manner of which you have. For there is “NO” evidence for or against the existence of God. At least not at this time. Perhaps in years to come evidence will be provided for or against His existence; but until then we have nothing more than our personal experiences of which to draw from…… fortunately I took the road least traveled and I am glad that I have…… for my experience with God has left me with no doubt as to His existence.

Thank you for your question, time and consideration, Hessian, they are greatly appreciated.

I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. My stepdad lost his son a few years ago, so I know how hard it can be to lose a child (indirectly, of course). And I’m glad to hear you’ve managed to turn your life around. It’s not easy to change.
I hope I’m not putting words in your mouth, but allow me to paraphrase what I think your saying for the sake of understanding. What I understood is that you were making bad decisions and then you became a Christian and were able to turn your life around. Is that correct?
If so, I’m curious, how do you know that it was God who allowed you to turn your life around and not something else?

I wish to thank you for your sorrow of my loss and my condolences to your stepfather, and family, for their loss as well.

Before I venture off in response to your questions and comments, please, allow me to say one very important thing. “I am beginning to see why you have placed “with teeth” in your monocle” [smiling]. Since, from your “paraphrasing of what you perceive me to be saying, I have viewed a slight glimpse of them [teeth]. They could be quite veracious. But then I like that. So, we shall proceed.

Your quote: “I hope I’m not putting words in your mouth, but allow me to paraphrase what I think your saying for the sake of understanding. What I understood is that you were making bad decisions and then you became a Christian and were able to turn your life around. Is that correct?”

A more clear and precise definition would be a close opposite. Allow me to explain. I believe you have the order of occurrences backwards. I was raised in a Christian home and attended Protestant services from the near time I was brought home from the hospital. In 1965, at the age of 15, I was involved in a serious accident while riding with my cousin. From that I laid in a coma for three days and experienced what is often referred to as a “near death experience.” By the time 1967, at age 17, I was locked up in a Juvenile facility and was a ward of the Ohio Youth Commission until I was 18.

Socially, one could say, I was making bad decisions. In my mind I knew exactly what it was I was doing and had plans. Big plans and I was smart enough to pull them off. When I say I was smart – I am saying I was intellectually smart. Having a high I. Q. and rarely opened books to study. For most of my formable school years I held a 3.5 – 4.0 gpa.

It started out that I wanted businesses, corporations and great wealth. I knew that most all of the predecessors of industry had used many unscrupulous methods of obtaining great wealth and power. I had read everything available on John D. Rockefeller, J. P. Morgan, The Rothchild’s and all captains of industry. I eventually began to read, and study, the workings of the Old Mafia regimes and the building of criminal empires. What I found from both were that the way to success was not written in the texts of higher learning, but in the ruthlessness of man and his unscrupulous practices. Yet, before all of this I was a professing Christian from a loving Christian family. So, there were no bad decisions only calculated risks of which I was willing to take. I had willfully chosen to place God behind me. Yet, using Him in times of trouble and despair.

Let’s not be presumptuous. I was always of the Christian Faith. I was not always a practicing Christian – I was a hypocrite and only used Christianity and Christ when it served my needs. And, I assure you it was not “I” who turned my life around. It was an entity far beyond my capabilities to achieve change(s). If it were left to my own devices I’d still be a criminal. Still into pornography. Still into drugs and still into making as much money as I were able……

The only thing “I” can take credit for is “finally” submitting to God fully. For once again I believe you have it backwards, Hessian; It was not God who allowed me to turn my life around; it was me who allowed God to turn my life around by fully accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior. It was the Holy Spirit, for whom Christ says “I will send you a helper” that has changed me. Oh, I had my moments when I was tempted to go back to my olden ways. But I didn’t. You see, Hessian, we do have “free will”. We do have choices. And until someone gives their life fully to Christ and allows God to run your life completely, will you know truth of God existence.

You ask, “and not something else (which changed me)”. What could be that something else, Hessian? Science? Evolution? My own intellect? In the chapters of God vs atheism what else could it be? Who or what could change, and then use the lives of such notable people as Abraham (the liar), Saul (the persecutor), Moses (the Murderer), Rehab (the Harlot) and now me (the criminal and hypocrite) if not God? Who or what else would send such a message as “you, like all those before you, are not beyond hope or redemption” than a Loving God? And, I leave you and all our readers with that question.

I thank you, hessianwithteeth (smiling) for your comments and questions. Like you they are greatly appreciated.

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you always. Shalom !

I thank you for your comments. they are appreciated. However, this blog is not about me. It never was and it should never be. It is about God and the Christian faith… Your attempt at analyzing me in an apparent attempt to find a flaw in my belief is not the issue either. I believe such attempt to be shallow and, without merit [or cause].

I do thank you for your comment, Hessian, and they truly are appreciated.

You open your comment with “How can I understand any god without first understanding the people who follow it?” Oh, Hessian, are you not the same Hessian who is a student of “History (with a focus on the history of religion) and Philosophy double major?”

Why is it, Hessian, you practice to deceive? For you are talking to a man who has attended five (5) colleges and universities with majors in Business and minors in Psychology. Is this the best your instructors have to lay upon you? That you must know the people of a god before knowing the god they worship and serve?

For my God has already given you an invitation to know Him on a personal level. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”: Matthew 7:7.

Knowing me in order to know my God is misplaced. To know my God you must read His word and do so with an opened mind and without the influence of “atheist and feminist” agenda’s. For are you not the same Hessian who has given her life over to “atheism and feminism”? I tell you sincerely, Hessian, “[But] seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. Matthew 6:33. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7.

Like you, I was born and raised in a Christian family. But unlike you, my experiences tell me that Christianity is wrong. I don’t know God, and not because I didn’t sincerely ask to know God. So no, I don’t understand you, and I don’t understand your faith. I know the history of Christianity. I know a number of philosophical arguments both for and against God, and I know about the various sects. But I don’t understand your God, and I don’t understand how anyone could believe in him. And you can tell me all the usual “you haven’t really opened your heart to him” and “you were never really a Christian” that I’ve heard a million times, but that isn’t helpful. It won’t make me say “oh, now I believe.” So why not actually try helping me understand your belief? Why not try coming at this from my level? I haven’t attacked you. I’m just asking questions. And I can only come at this from the lenses I have now. I am an atheist and I am a feminist. I can’t throw away the whole of who I am because you say I should, any more than you could throw away your belief in God if I were to tell you to.